Summer/Fall 2020 Issue 1
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Nadia Khatchadourian, LICSW
I’ve been coming to the NSGP Conference since 2007, my first year out of graduate school. My colleague, Beth Gingerich, encouraged me to attend a then-Institute, and when the cost of it proved too steep for my clinic salary, to apply for a scholarship. I remember feeling that strange clammy combination of excitement and terror at trying to show up and be authentic with a group of strangers. Even after all this time, these feelings still return to some degree each year that I attend an experience group. I branched out at some point, attending workshops and demonstration groups as well, and always felt grateful for what I learned. Fast forward eleven years, and I finally joined NSGP. In the interim, I stopped working as an adult outpatient therapist at Somerville Mental Health (now a part of Riverside Community Care) to be home with my first child, and now two children. Ultimately, NSGP has always offered the possibility of feeling more connection in my life. And of course, connection right now is more important than ever. In that spirit, take a look at “Member Spotlight” – a new recurring feature that will give all of us a chance to know more about the many unique members of our organization. This issue features Jennifer DeSouza, our new president. Read on to find out more about the important work of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, what the SAGE Committee has to offer, and one of the useful workshops our Practice Development Committee offered in the last year. Analyze This, written just as the pandemic was beginning, speaks powerfully to issues of racism and xenophobia that we continue to grapple with as a society and an organization. And finally, don’t miss Silver Linings, the theme of this issue, for reflections and updates from our community about what we are grateful for, amidst so much loss and pain. I feel encouraged that we are working on growing as individuals and as an organization about systemic issues of racism and who holds power. I know I speak for everyone on the newsletter committee in saying that we will do our best to make NSGPeople a space where all voices are welcome and included, and where we prize the connections between us above all. Please let us know what you think! Nadia Khatchadourian, LICSW |